In this video, pro pickleball coach Dominic Catalano reveals a simple but powerful return of serve drill that lets you practice handling big, fast serves—even if your drilling partner doesn’t have one!
You’ll learn:
✅ How to simulate game-speed serves without a big server
✅ The feeding technique that makes this drill work
✅ Key footwork and technique for better returns
This drill will help you handle high-speed serves with confidence and it’s a great workout to improve your cardio.
⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 Dom Gets Bagged… Again!
0:14 Why You Need to Handle Big Serves
0:44 Setting Up the Drill
1:05 She Won’t Hit the Camera… Right?!
1:28 The Key to This Drill is the Feed
2:46 Big Tube Energy!
3:17 Return of Serve Technique for Big Serves
4:04 Footwork for Returning Serves
4:39 Where to Stand for Returning Big Serves
5:02 Short Hop Serve Return
5:30 The Flying Pickle Has Big Courts
5:49 Drilling Forehand Returns
6:02 Drilling Backhand Returns
6:17 Dom Gets Bagged!
6:29 Dom Gets Bagged Again!
6:41 Picking Up the Pace
7:09 Making the Feed Realistic
7:32 Backhand Return Closeups
8:00 A Question For You!
8:05 Forehand Return Closeups
8:25 Key Points
8:52 Acting Skills on Point! LOL
9:06 Strategy for Pickleball Returns
🎥 Watch Next:
👉 Return Strategy to Get Your Partner a Better 4th Shot → https://youtu.be/eiTD-1cK-bQ?si=KQeX-E0Jj8NZvvMx&list=PL7aPrF3CyOzrqCI_yDeMPBNZNRqVlgiBh
🔥 Learn How to Play Fast and Aggressive Like the Pros Do → https://youtu.be/cYJC-DYnQng?si=HHeseL0gzeICMVy3&list=PL7aPrF3CyOzrqCI_yDeMPBNZNRqVlgiBh
🎯 Want more personalized coaching from the pros?
Join our Virtual Coaching Community and level up your game with one-on-one guidance from our pro coaches. 📩 Email us at academy@theflyingpickle.com to get started!
🛡️ Want to be a hero in your hometown? Email us to learn how you could bring a Flying Pickle franchise to your community.
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🏓 The Flying Pickle Academy – Bringing pro-level pickleball training to players everywhere.
#pickleball #pickleballtips #pickleballtraining #pickleballreturnofserve #pickleballdrills
Follow on Instagram:
Susannah Barr: https://www.instagram.com/susannahbarr.pb/
Dominic Catalano: https://www.instagram.com/dominic_catalano_3dpickleball
Maria Lopez: https://www.instagram.com/coach_mlopez/
The Flying Pickle: https://www.instagram.com/theflyingpickle/